thinking about getting my A4's atf fluid changed.

Ive contacted a few mechanics and they charge about 250-350 to the parts/labor

Ive been also recommended on not changing the lifetime fluid.(i forgot the reason why....)

I would like to know other peoples opinions and decisions on what I should do and what is recommended?

 

Wayyyyy cheaper to do it yourself. Only reason I can see them telling you not to change your fluid is that they want to charge you down the road to change your transmission. There is no such thing as "Lifetime" fluid that's a marketing lie at it's best.

 

How many miles are on your car? I never let the "lifetime" fluid go more than 50,000 miles and even less if you drive it hard. The only special tool you will need is to remove the drain plug. If it hasn't been changed in a long time or looks very dark and/or smells burnt I would replace the fluid, drive it for a week or two and then flush it again. When you drain the transmission fluid there is always a good amount left in the torque converter and other places so you are really only changing maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of the fluid.

 

It would be way cheaper to do it myself but im a noob and dont want to mess the tranny and rather pay to get in done professionally. I remember speaking to this one mechanic and he said he would be changing a filter and other parts which im not sure if its necessary or not.
so far 130k on the car and i bought it at 127. im pretty sure the previous owner never change the tranny fluid because I had it inspected and it looked old. "Lifetime" fluid is a marketing joke. I want the tranny to last me past 200k which is why I want to change it.